Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Stephen Robson named Bishop of Dunkeld after diocese’s three-year wait

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Stephen Robson as the new Bishop
of Dunkeld, near Perth, three years after his predecessor Bishop Vincent
Logan submitted his resignation on grounds of ill health.Bishop Robson, 62, who is currently auxiliary bishop in the
scandal-hit Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, said that his
priority would be encouraging vocations to the priesthood and religious
life.

His installation will take place in St Andrew’s Cathedral in Dundee early in January on a date to be announced shortly.

The President of the Scottish bishops’ conference, Archbishop Philip
Tartaglia, and Archbishop Leo Cushley, the new Archbishop of St Andrews
and Edinburgh, sent congratulations to Bishop Robson.

Robson, a priest in the archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh for
more then 30 years, was made bishop in the wake of the resignation of
its archbishop, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who stood down following
revelations of sexual misconduct last year.

Archbishop Cushley said: “In my brief time in Edinburgh, I have
learned of a widespread affection and respect for [Bishop Robson] as a
person and as a priest, and I will miss his wise counsel, energy and
hard work at the service of the archdiocese. I am sure that the people
and priests of Dunkeld will benefit greatly from his goodness, openness
and willingness to cooperate with everyone for the sake of Christ and
the Gospel. May God bless Bishop Stephen and the flock entrusted to his
care.“

Bishop Robson, who was ordained in 1979, studied science at the
University of Edinburgh before moving to the Pontifical Gregorian
University in Rome. He is a member of the Institute of Biology.

The Diocese of Dunkeld has been vacant since December 2010, when
Bishop Logan stood down on health grounds.

Mgr Basil O’Sullivan has
served as the Administrator of the Diocese for the last three years.

Bishop Logan welcomed the news and offered prayers and support for Bishop Robson’s new ministry.